The Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center at The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, has announced the appointment of the Ira Brind Endowed Professor, Maureen Murphy, PhD, as Deputy Director. Dr. Murphy will guide the growth of the Cancer Center through expanding research initiatives and collaboration, education, and training programs as well as the recruitment to fast-track innovative basic cancer research discoveries into future transformative drugs and therapies.
Maureen Murphy, PhD
In 1972, Wistar became the first National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated basic cancer center in the nation and has continued to be recognized and supported by the NCI. In 2022, Wistar became the first basic NCI-designated cancer center to earn the Cancer Center Support Grant Merit Extension.
Recently, The Wistar Institute embarked on a 5-year campaign, a roadmap of Institute priorities in science, education, and strategic collaborations. The Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center was formally named in 2022 and prioritizes the prevention and treatment of cancer by advancing fundamental high-risk, high-reward basic science into next-generation therapeutics.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Murphy is known for her research on TP53, a tumor-suppressor gene that is mutated in almost every type of cancer. Her lab also studies the HSP70 protein; Dr. Murphy has pioneered pharmacologic targeting of HSP70 for cancer therapy, particularly metastatic melanoma and colorectal cancer.
Dr. Murphy holds administrative roles promoting Institute stewardship, including Program Leader of the Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, and principal investigator of the Training Grant in Cancer Biology, which provides support for top Wistar trainees and is one of the five longest-standing training grants in the history of the NCI.
